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Danilo Petrucci was the King of Cremona. A memorable weekend for the rider from Terni, protagonist of a stunning hat trick of victories. Yesterday Alberto Vergani wanted to tell us about the relationship that has tied him to Petrux for a good 10 years now.
It's a path that has taken him from MotoGP to Superbike via Dakar and MotoAmerica. Today we publish the second part of the interview, related to Danilo, in Superbike version.
"The particular thing about this adventure with Barni is the way it came about," Alberto said, "two years ago, in Magny-Cours, we had virtually defined the arrival of Bassani from Barni. There was an agreement, everything was practically done and dusted, only the signatures were missing. At the last moment, however, Axel decided to stay at Motocorsa, changed his mind, and continued even for 2023 with Lorenzo Mauri. Now, however, comes the best part..."
What happened?
"The moment I informed Marco Barnabò that Axel no longer wanted to go to him, preferring to stay with Motocorsa, Barni did not take it very well (smiles). He thought that I was only trying to pull one over him for a market maneuver, trying to raise the Motocorsa offer. However, that was not the case; in fact, I told him right away, "Look Marco, the deal with Axel is blown, but if you want I can bring you Petrucci, who was racing in MotoAmerica that year."
What was his answer?
"Let's say that the option on the table put a smile back on his face... Joking aside: it was an entire operation to be built because Danilo already had on the table a proposal to do MotoAmerica also in 2023. However, we got to work and finally it managed to materialize. Obviously I regret not winning the title in America, but the thing I regret most is that Petrucci had become a sort of target in that Championship. Eventually the other riders saw him as the one who came from MotoGP and in some ways represented the enemy. Having concluded that chapter then came SBK, although it was not so easy in the beginning. Despite the difficulties, in the end we all came to experience something special."
On Sunday, after Race 2, Marco Barnabò said, "After this hat trick of wins I will have to close down the team, because your friend Vergani has screwed me about Danilo's victory bonuses."
"Ahahahahahaah... I answered him saying that with Gresini, at the time of Melandri, we did much worse (he jokes). One thing I want to say, though."
Go ahead...
"I want to thank Marco Barni, his family and the entire team for what they have done with Danilo over the years. They are wonderful, exceptional people, great workers and genuine. Petrucci may have won in Cremona, but the credit is also due to all the mechanics, engineers who have worked at their best to put Danilo in a position to win. So a big thank you and a big recognition to all of them for their effort and commitment."
2024 is not yet over, but what is to date the symbolic image you carry with you?
"Cremona would be obvious, but I would like to remember Sunday at Misano, which was the round of Danilo's comeback following his motocross accident. After the morning Superpole Race Danilo was exhausted, virtually knocked out. I told him, "Danilo, no one is forcing you to race: you do three laps and then you stop." We had this kind of pact between us. The fact is that Petrux was stronger than the pain and lap after lap he impressed everyone, until the final overtaking move on Bassani. There, that test was a testament to his person. Now, however, we must look ahead, without stopping at Cremona, because there is already Aragon and a World Championship to be completed to the best of our ability. Indeed, we must not rest on our victories: we enjoy a day of relaxation and break, but then we go right back to work to start again."
